Washington Semester

The South Carolina Washington Semester Internship Program (WSP) gives students in universities and colleges across the state of South Carolina
the opportunity to spend a semester working and taking classes in Washington D.C.,
gaining valuable experience while earning academic credit toward their degrees.

Learn Through Experience

Washington Semester Program students get firsthand experience with the political process,
obtaining skills that will help prepare them for careers in virtually any sphere.
In the past, Washington Semester Program students have attended important events,
such as the inauguration ceremonies, White House arrival ceremonies for visiting head
of states, joint sessions of Congress and arguments before the Supreme Court. Recent
seminars have featured meetings with White House personnel, the Deputy Attorney General,
cabinet secretaries, senior TV network correspondents, lobbyists, embassy officials
and other national leaders.

The South Carolina Congressional Delegation, with seven representatives and two senators,
provides the core of fellowship placements. However, other recent placements have
included:

Institute of Peace

CNN’s The Situation Room

Center for American Progress

Heritage Foundation

Aspen Institute

Department of Education

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

National Endowment for the Arts

National Organization for Women

House Subcommittee for Africa and Global Health

House Committee on Financial Services

Children's Defense Fund

Department of Justice

Smithsonian

The State Department

But it's not all work...

Washington is a young person's city, filled with students from its four major universities
and congressional staffers. Students meet interesting and influential people, establishing
contacts for personal and professional networking.

A remarkably diverse city, Washington provides opportunities to brush shoulders with
people of many different nationalities, enjoy exotic cuisines, hear multiple languages,
attend ethnic festivals, shop in eclectic neighborhoods and become acquainted with
individuals and groups not likely to be encountered in South Carolina. D.C. also has
renowned museums, major performing arts venues, art galleries, movie theatres, concerts,
lectures and book signings.

Internship Spotlight

Washington, DC Intern Housing

Students live in a modern, apartment-style dormitory managed by Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH). The apartment is located in the heart of Capitol Hill and provides a secure, comfortable home away from home.